Bill Text: MI HR0108 | 2011-2012 | 96th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to encourage the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Commission to allow baiting of deer in northeast Michigan for a trial period of two years.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 15-4)
Status: (Passed) 2011-06-30 - Adopted [HR0108 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2011-HR0108-Enrolled.html
Reps. Pettalia, Crawford, Constan, Cotter, Daley, Damrow, Denby, Foster, Goike, Haugh, Heise, Horn, Jackson, Lyons, Opsommer, Potvin, Pscholka, Smiley and Stamas offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 108.
A resolution to encourage the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Commission to allow baiting of deer in northeast Michigan for a trial period of two years.
Whereas, The prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in whitetail deer in northeast Michigan has been steadily declining since 1995. In part, the decline of bovine TB has been achieved with the assistance of hunters. There is agreement that to reduce further bovine TB incidents in northeast Michigan, it is necessary to encourage a greater harvest of whitetail deer during hunting season; and
Whereas, A ban on baiting deer had been instituted in all of lower Michigan three years ago when chronic wasting disease (CWD) was found in a whitetail deer in Kent County. There is consensus that prohibiting deer baiting had an adverse effect on an already economically depressed state; and
Whereas, The baiting ban has recently been lifted in all of lower Michigan except for the six county area in northeast Michigan where bovine TB remains prevalent. However, allowing baiting in Alcona, Alpena, Iosco, Montmorency, Oscoda, and Presque Isle counties will encourage hunters to increase the harvest of whitetail deer, thereby further decreasing the incidents of bovine TB in both deer and cattle. Hunters will be more willing to hunt in the six-county area knowing that they have an equal opportunity to attract deer as their fellow hunters in other areas of the state; and
Whereas, A greater harvest of whitetail deer from northeast Michigan may boost the decline in bovine TB incidents. A two-year trial period in which baiting is allowed will give the Department of Natural Resources time to study the effect on the deer harvest as well as the impact on TB incidents; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we encourage the Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Commission to allow baiting of deer in Alcona, Alpena, Iosco, Montmorency, Oscoda, and Presque Isle for a trial period of two years so that a study may be conducted on the effect of baiting on the status of bovine tuberculosis in the deer population and cattle herds; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the director of the Department of Natural Resources, the chair of the Natural Resources Commission, and the Governor.
